Clean Bhubaneswar – How Vijay Kumar Khatri Leads by Example

Mr. Vijay Kumar Khatri has set a great example of leadership for the residents of Bhubaneswar. The respectable resident understands his responsibility towards keeping his city and surroundings clean and is taking necessary steps towards ensuring that.

For the past couple of years, he has been visiting the Bhaskareswara Temple every single morning, spending his time there picking the trash on the grounds. Mr. Khatri thinks of this as a service to god and adds that this also helps keep him active.

Originally hailing from Shahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh, he moved to Bhubaneswar in 1962. He worked in the cash department at Allahabad Bank for the most part of his career. He now lives a retired life in Old Town Bhubaneswar with his wife and elder son.

For the past couple of years, he has been visiting the Bhaskareswara Temple every single morning, spending his time there picking the trash on the grounds.

A few years ago, he suffered a severe paralytic attack that left him bedfast for a period of 6 months. Determination, strong willpower and unconditional support from his wife made him stand up on his feet again. As he lived close to the Bhaskareswara temple, his wife would bring him to the grounds every morning in the hope to turn the wobbly walk into careful little footsteps.

When he became mobile, he started making these trips to the temple on his own. On the grounds, he noticed all kinds of trash, food wrappers, used napkins, poly bags, soda cans etc. He then started picking every iota of trash he found there and threw his collection in the trash bin located in the site. This has become his daily routine ever since that day.

It is time we wonder how this trash makes its way to the grounds and not to the designated garbage bins. Eating a packet of chips in your car and throwing the empty packet out of the window may be convenient, but in the process, you contribute to the piling garbage and an unclean city.

Most of us complain about trash management in this city; many of us want to do something about it, but cringe and look away when we see filthy surroundings. To start with, a certain amount of self-policing can make way for a healthier environment.

Mr. Khatri has proved to be a role model for all residents of Bhubaneswar, and we all should follow his lead in trying to keep our city clean.  Here’s a big shout-out to recognize and applaud his noble efforts.